Deputy faces DUI charges in freeway crash

Prosecutors have filed felony charges against a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputy accused of driving his motorcycle drunk and crashing into the back of another vehicle on the 405 freeway.

Richard J. Patterson, 38, of West Covina is scheduled to be arraigned in Westminster on Tuesday. He faces charges of driving under the influence causing injury and driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 percent or more causing injury.

The Orange County District Attorney's Office says Patterson had a blood-alcohol level of 0.15 percent two hours after the crash. Prosecutors want a sentencing enhancement because of that.

Patterson was off duty and had his wife riding on the back of his motorcycle as he drove north on the 405 freeway on the evening of July 5, according to the District Attorney's Office. He crashed into the back of another vehicle near the Brookhurst Street exit in Fountain Valley, prosecutors said.

Patterson was taken to Western Medical Center and treated for hip injuries; his wife was hospitalized with a knee injury and abrasions to her arms and hand, according to the District Attorney's Office. The occupants of the other vehicle were not hurt.

Patterson remains employed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Sgt. Pauline Panis said. She could not tell if he was on any kind of leave.

He faces a sentence that ranges from probation to three years in state prison if convicted.